ABS-CBN News Online – Bongbong to run for VP

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that he will join the vice-presidential race in 2016.

“I have decided to run for Vice President in the May 2016 elections,” Marcos said in a statement.

“I have decided to put my political fortune in the hands of the Filipino people. I humbly ask them to judge whether or not I am worthy of their trust to be Vice President on the strength of my performance as a public servant in the last 26 years,” Marcos added.

Marcos has served as vice governor and governor of Ilocos Norte, as representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte, and most recently, as a senator.

DUTERTE-MARCOS in 2016?

In a statement released Monday, Marcos hinted on a possible team-up with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, one of the presumptive presidential aspirants in 2016.

“I flew to Davao City on Wednesday and consulted with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte,” Marcos narrated.

“He was gracious enough to promise me his support should I decide to run for Vice President. I too will support Mayor Duterte if and when he runs for President,” the senator continued.

Earlier, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano met and had dinner with Duterte after announcing his vice-presidential bid in Davao City.

This prompted speculations that Duterte-Cayetano will join forces come 2016.

NOT RUNNING WITH BINAY

While Marcos hinted on running with Duterte if the latter decides to run for president in 2016, the senator dismissed rumors of a possible team-up with Vice President Jejomar Binay, citing political differences.

“Regarding Vice President Jejomar Binay, I was invited to be his vice-presidential candidate. There were initial talks between our supporters,” Marcos said.

“But any team up with the vice president must be rooted on a shared vision for our country, a common platform of government as well as political perspectives,” Marcos explained.

The senator said it would be “difficult” for him to “tame [his] political differences” with Binay.

“With Sen. Bongbong Marcos joining the list of those seeking higher office, I am optimistic that discussions on issues that matter most to Filipinos will be vibrant and robust,” Escudero said in a statement.

“This campaign season should afford the people the opportunity to scrutinize the platform of each candidate and guide them in choosing what and who is best for our country. I wish him well,” he added.

3 VP CANDIDATES FROM NACIONALISTA

Marcos is the third member of the Nacionalista Party to declare his bid for the vice presidency.

Cayetano earlier announcedthat he will run for vice president in 2016.

Meanwhile, Trillanes, another Nacionalista senator, officially declared his bid for the vice presidency on Saturday.

Below is Marcos’ full statement on his declaration to run as vice president in 2016:

“I have decided to run for Vice President in the May 2016 elections.

“All these talks of teaming up with certain leading presidential candidates have been mere speculations.

“I flew to Davao City on Wednesday and consulted with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. He was gracious enough to promise me his support should I decide to run for Vice President. I too will support Mayor Duterte if and when he runs for President.

“Regarding Vice President Jejomar Binay, I was invited to be his Vice-Presidential candidate. There were initial talks between our supporters. But any team up with the Vice President must be rooted on a shared vision for our country, a common platform of government as well as political perspectives.

“Unfortunately it would be difficult for me to tame our political differences.

“For one thing, I believe that elected officials have an obligation to our people to help change the course of our nation’s history by banishing the politics of personality which to me is one of the primary causes why our country today has become a soft state where the rich become richer, the poor become poorer, graft and corruption is endemic, the drug menace pervades, injustice is the norm and government incompetence is accepted.

“Consequently, I have decided to put my political fortune in the hands of the Filipino people. I humbly ask them to judge whether or not I am worthy of their trust to be Vice President on the strength of my performance as a public servant in the last 26 years: first as former Vice Governor and Governor of Ilocos Norte, then as Representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte and, finally, as Senator of the country.